28
MAX
Iwoke up on the sofa. My head was throbbing, and it tasted like a wild creature had slept in my mouth. I blamed it on the one too many vodkas I had the night before.
There was only one way to snap my senses back into working order. Cold water. I stripped, grabbed a towel, and headed for the swimming pool. I woke up as soon as my head hit the water. Nothing like cold water to rip the ass out of a hangover.
My phone rang while I was drying off. It was Angel!
“Angel. Are you okay? I’ve been worried sick about you.”
“Max. We need to talk.”
Something in the tone of her voice told me there was trouble.
“What’s wrong? Is it the baby? Are you okay?”
“We’re fine. Where are you?”
“I’m at home.”
“Stay there. I’m on my way.”
She hung up. What the fuck was going on? I went inside the house and got dressed. My stomach was a web of nerves by the time I heard the car pull up in the driveway. I went to the front door to meet Angel.
“Hi,” she said when I opened the door.
“Hi.”
I wanted to hold her in my arms, but Angel’s body language said, ‘stay the fuck away’ so I resisted the urge.
“Can I make you a cup of tea?” I offered.
“Max. you’re in trouble.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, I was just approached by someone from the DEA.”
I could feel the blood draining from my face. I must have looked the way I felt because Angel took my hand and led me to the sofa where I flopped down.
“What? Where? Did you go to the authorities?”
“Of course not! How can you even ask me that?”
“Sorry. I’m in shock. I didn’t mean that.”
“You’re in shock! Imagine my surprise.”
“Okay, please, tell me what happened.”
“I spent the night at a hotel. A man approached me while I was having breakfast and told me he was DEA. They know about the drugs, Max.”
“I don’t understand. Why is the DEA talking toyou?”
“I guess that if anyone could convince you to roll over on the Russian mob, it’s your pregnant girlfriend.”
“Sneaky bastards. I’m so sorry, Angel. What did you tell them?”